'Polar bears' take a chilly plunge in Sea Bright surf

Amanda Brown/The Star-LedgerBathers head into the Atlantic Ocean as part of the annual Polar Bear Plunge in Sea Bright today.

About 500 people braved chilly weather and water to plunge into the Sea Bright surf today at the second annual Polar Bear Plunge of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, raising money for Bayshore-area Catholic schools.

The charity effort was urged among parishioners of several churches, said Jim Bonney, one of the event's organizers. In its first year, the January plunge raised $17,000, and Bonney hoped this year would top that total by $10,000.

"This is a fun way to help a good cause and bring the community together," Bonney said.

Water temperatures were in the low 40s, and wind chilled the air to make it feel like 15 degrees.